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Renoviction in Quebec: Your Rights Against Eviction for Renovations

Updated on 2026-06-10 · 8 min read · aideTAL.ca

With the housing shortage, evictions for renovations — called "renovictions" — have multiplied in Quebec. Too many tenants leave believing they have no choice. Yet the law strongly protects you, provided you know your rights and, above all, react within the deadline. Here is what the Civil Code of Quebec says.

In this guide: 1. Renoviction: what the law actually allows 2. The one-month deadline you must NOT miss 3. How to contest, step by step 4. Your compensation and bad faith FAQ

1. Renoviction: what the law actually allows

A landlord cannot evict you simply because they want to renovate. The Civil Code only allows eviction in three specific cases (article 1959 C.C.Q.):

💡 Mere renovations — even major ones — are not grounds for eviction if the dwelling continues to exist as such. In that case, the landlord must reach an agreement with you (temporary rehousing, work schedule), not evict you.

Not to be confused with repossession (article 1957 C.C.Q.), where the landlord takes back the dwelling to live in it themselves or house a relative. That is a different procedure with its own rules.

2. The one-month deadline you must NOT miss

The landlord must send you a written eviction notice, generally 6 months before the lease ends (article 1960 C.C.Q.), stating the reason and date.

⏰ The silence trap

Unlike a rent increase, for an eviction: if you do not respond within the month after receiving the notice, you are deemed to have CONSENTED to leave (article 1966 C.C.Q.). Silence means acceptance. This is the most costly mistake — you must object in writing within 30 days.

3. How to contest, step by step

1
Do not sign anything, do not leave under pressure. An offer of money to leave "quickly" binds you to nothing until you accept in writing.
2
Check the reason and notice: is the reason one of the 3 legal cases? Does the notice respect the 6-month delay? Our lease scanner can analyze your documents.
3
Object in writing within the month of receiving the notice. Keep proof of sending.
4
It is up to the landlord to prove good faith before the housing tribunal. If they cannot show the eviction is genuine and justified, it is refused.

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4. Your compensation and bad faith

If the eviction is legitimate and you agree to leave, you are entitled to compensation of at least 3 months' rent plus your reasonable moving expenses (article 1965 C.C.Q.). If your actual harm is greater, you can ask the tribunal for more.

And if the landlord evicted you in bad faith — for example re-renting at a higher price instead of doing the announced work — you can claim damages, including punitive damages (article 1968 C.C.Q.). Recent reforms (Bill 31) strengthened these protections and increased the consequences for bad-faith landlords.

🏛️ A housing committee can support you

Housing committees, FRAPRU and NGOs know renovictions well and can give you a code that makes your case preparation free on aideTAL.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a "renoviction"?
The word "renoviction" (renovation + eviction) refers to a landlord evicting a tenant under the pretext of major renovations, often to actually re-rent at a higher price. It is not a legal term, but the situation is governed by the Civil Code of Quebec: an eviction is only allowed to subdivide the dwelling, substantially enlarge it, or change its use (article 1959 C.C.Q.).
Can my landlord evict me just to renovate?
No. Mere renovations, even major ones, do NOT justify an eviction if the dwelling continues to exist as such. Eviction is only legal to subdivide, substantially enlarge, or change the use of the dwelling. For ordinary work, the landlord must rehouse you temporarily or reach an agreement — not evict you.
How long do I have to respond to an eviction notice?
You have 1 month from receiving the notice to object in writing (article 1966 C.C.Q.). WARNING: unlike a rent increase, if you do not respond within the month, you are deemed to have CONSENTED to leave. Silence means acceptance — so react quickly.
Am I entitled to compensation if evicted?
Yes. In case of eviction, you are entitled to compensation of at least 3 months' rent plus reasonable moving expenses (article 1965 C.C.Q.). If your actual harm is greater, you can ask for more at the housing tribunal.
What if the eviction is in bad faith?
If the landlord evicts you under a false pretext (e.g. re-rents at a higher price instead of doing the announced work), you can claim damages, including punitive damages (article 1968 C.C.Q.). Recent reforms (Bill 31) strengthened these protections and placed the burden of proving good faith on the landlord.
Do I have to leave while contesting?
No. Until the housing tribunal rules, you keep your right to remain in the dwelling. Do not sign anything and do not leave under pressure: assert your rights first.

This article is provided for information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. The cited articles refer to the Civil Code of Quebec. The law evolves (notably via Bill 31) — for a specific situation, consult a housing committee, a legal clinic or a lawyer. aideTAL.ca is an assistance tool, not a law firm.